Page 49 of Changing Tides

“What’s with you, Soph?” Liam bumps his shoulder into mine. “You’re crabby.” He gives me a lazy smile that makes my heart do somersaults.

“I’m just cranky, I guess. I’m stuck. I’m not moving forward.” I pout. “I’m tired of healing. I want tobe healed.”

“Come on, you know as well as anyone that takes time, Sophie.” Liam touches my arm. Then he gestures ahead. “Come on, I’ll get you a smoothie.” We fall into step together and once we’re outside the smoothie place, he stops. The line is long. I roll my eyes.

“Look, why don’t you save this bench for us, and I’ll go in and get the smoothies,” he says.

“Okay.” I plop down on the green metal bench directly behind me and put my yoga mat next to me so no one thinks they can join me.

“Your usual Pink Pitaya?” he asks with a grin.

“Don’t act like you know me,” I pout with a scowl.

Liam just smiles and shakes his head, waiting for confirmation.

I let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, please,” I mumble.

Amidst my people watching, an entire wedding party comes walking down the street with the bride and groom, making my bad mood worse. The bride and groom look to be in their late twenties, and they are elated. The wedding party follows along behind them with their respective dates and the photographers are catching candid shots. As bad luck would have it, I’m scanning the happy faces in the group just in time to see one so familiar to me, I would recognize it anywhere.

James.

In Cape May.

He isn’t dressed like the groomsmen. He’s wearing a pair of tan chinos and a pale blue button down with an open collar. And those damn blue light glasses he thinks make him look smart. But he looks good.

I’m still sweaty from yoga and walking. I imagine my wild hair is a complete disaster.

On his arm is none other than Brittany, in a pale peach chiffon dress that matches the bridesmaids, with an empire waist that accentuates her newly swollen belly. My heart catches in my throat.

I make every effort to look away but it’s too late. James sees me, and he stops right in front of me. Brittany keeps walking until she realizes he stopped and then she comes marching back over.

“Sophie,” he says. His voice comes out like the water went down the wrong pipe and he’s trying to find it again.

I slowly stand and meet his remorseful eyes. Brittany is by his side now and grasps his arm. “Hi,” I say, uncertainly.

James doesn’t say anything else, but he doesn’t take his eyes off me. I’ll admit, that feels kind of good. Brittany obnoxiously clears her throat and rubs her belly. James looks down at her and says, “You go on ahead with the wedding party. I’ll catch up.” She looks up at him as if she wants to argue but he gives her a look that saysplease,and she huffs away.

“H-how are you?” he asks, reaching for me. A hug feels superficial at this point, so I don’t reach in return. His hand grazes my arm and he lets it fall. I notice when he touches me that I don’t feel anything. It’s nothing like when Liam touches me. There is no electricity, just too much pain.

“I’m okay.” I shrug. “Good, actually.” I force a smile. I can’t let him see what this is doing to me. “What are you doing here?” I ask, remembering how when I brought him here, he thought it was nothing special.

“Brittany’s friend from college got married today. She’s in the wedding party.” James looks over my shoulder, and I know he’s looking for Brittany. She must catch his eye because a moment later, she’s back at his side.

I nod in understanding just as Liam comes out of the shop. I can feel his presence before he’s even at my side. Thank god for Liam because at the exact moment he hands me my smoothie, I catch a glimpse of a sparkling engagement ring on Brittany’s finger. My jaw drops. James catches on to what I have noticed. Liam is standing next to me, trying to figure out what it is that he just stepped into. He moves closer and I lean into him for support.

Liam holds out his hand to James and says, “Hey, I’m Liam.”

James, a few inches shorter and several pounds lighter than Liam, seems to have a realization of his own and grips Liam’s hand in return.

Is that jealousy I am detecting?

“James.” Then, gesturing to hisfianceé,he says, “This is Brittany.”

I am still trying to find my voice, and when it comes out it sounds like an incredulous sob. “You’re engaged? Our divorce isn’t even final.” I feel myself becoming hysterical. My throat tightens and my sweaty hands are trembling with rage.

Liam puts his arm around me to steady me. He kisses the side of my head and rubs my back, but he doesn’t speak. We both wait for James to respond.

“Well, I mean, Brittany’s parents were really upset about a baby out of wedlock.” James fumbles his words. He looks at his feet, then at Brittany, then finally back at me. He never once looks at Liam. Liam tenses beside me. He must be seething on my behalf.

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